Reflecting the national interest in the franchise’s history, the Hamilton Spectator dedicated its Arts & Life cover story to the new documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Syndicated from the Toronto Star, Briony Smith’s feature, “Being on the show has a cost,” explores the darker realities of growing up on Canada’s most famous television set. Timed with the documentary’s world premiere at TIFF 2025, the article examines not only Degrassi’s cultural impact, but also the psychological toll experienced by its young cast.
Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
This Hamilton Spectator layout includes a prominent sidebar titled “4 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets,” highlighting several of the documentary’s most revealing moments:
- Financial struggles: Early cast members reportedly earned as little as $50 a day and were expected to assist with production tasks.
- Blurred boundaries: The article notes that the late Neil Hope (Wheels) lived with co-creator Linda Schuyler during a difficult period in his youth.
- Public harassment: Amanda Stepto (Spike) describes being harassed by strangers who conflated her real life with her teen pregnancy storyline.
The page is anchored by a large promotional photograph of Drake (Aubrey Graham), emphasizing that despite his global superstardom, he remains candid about the challenges of growing up on television alongside his Degrassi castmates.
Media Gallery
View the high-resolution scan of the Hamilton Spectator feature in the Vault Gallery.